Can You Identify This?

[prios]

I noticed, when my bristlenose was on the front glass, a large white spot on his chest. It's almost perfectly round, about the size of a button on a cell phone and just appeared almost overnight. I've been reading about ICH but I'm not sure this is it. I see no other spots and I've looked closely at some other fish that were slower moving and see nothing. His behaviour hasn't changed at all as far as I can see and neither have the behaviours of any other fish in there. I'm wondering if he scratched himself on some lava rock? I don't have a test kit handy but I've added one heaping teaspoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons and raised the temps to 84f. I have some cichlids in this tank and some upper level rainbows too and I'd rather not lose any of my fish. Any ideas?

ETA: I know not having a test kit handy makes this harder but these may help...It's a 75 gallon(U.S) sand substrate, with one bristlenose, 20 cichlids, 10 small rainbows. I do 30% water and filter floss changes every 5 days and I run a magnum350 canister and a penguin 350 power filter. Haven't added any medications ever except for tap water treatment with the water change. I had no idea the glass was so dirty til it showed up in the pic!!

 

[The-Wolf]

it could be many things, but large focal leisons are normerly caused by an ectoparasite such as lice leeches or anchor worms.

 

[WILDER]

I would remove the salt as scaless fish can't tolerate salt, does the whitespot have redness to it, or a red edging, does lit look slimey or fluffy, does the plec look irratated by something like shaking and twitching.

 

[morgan]

Sorry I can't answer your question but are you sure that's a Bristlenose? Sorry if I'm wrong but it looks just like my Common Pleco.

 

[prios]

Morgan: It was sold to me as a tiny juvenile as a Bristlenose, maybe I haven't taken as close a look as I should have?

Wilder: I'll vacuum out the salt. No redness or twitching at all and his behaviour is normal. It's not easy to see but I would say it looks more fluffy than slimy.

The Wolf: What's the remedy if there is one?

 

[WILDER]

If it has a fluffy appearance it sound like columnaris.
http/www.petfish.net/articles/Bettas/columnaris.php

 

[Saedcantas]

I cant be much help with the problem but a Bristlenose on the glass looks like this

(borrowed from Gorge.org)

 

[WILDER]

http/www.nippyfish.net/flexibacter.html

 

[prios]

I'm about to head out to work...any quick ideas on meds I should buy at the petstore?

 

[WILDER]

Get two the interpet range anti fungus and finrot med if that dosn't work, anti internal bacteria med.

Can you issolate the fish as with the finrot med i would add half the dose of the bacteria med.

 

[prios]

I'm really surprised to see this may have something to do with poor water, I always thought I was doing great with water changes and filter maint. Isolation is impossible, my other tanks are in use.

 

[morgan]

I know the id of your pleco isn't what you're asking but there is a big maximum size difference between a Bristlenose and a Common. I was sold a Bristlenose which turned out to be a Common. Anyway best of luck whatever it is.

 

[prios]

Couldn't find any Interpret. I'm treating with AQUARI-SOL on the advice of the LFS. Any more ideas?

As to whether he's a common pleco or Bristlenose or whatever no longer matters. He's still my pal.

 

[morgan]

I agree it doesn't matter, that's how I feel. I only mentioned it because of the difference in ultimate size. Hope the meds work and he is well soon.

 

[dave_m13]

I had a similar mark on my Plec a while ago and was advised by another forum to try using anti internal bacteria med and it worked a treat. Not sure what caused it, within a week or so the marks had cleared. I had clown loaches and they were not harmed by med.

Thanks
Dave